Blog

Medicare Savings Program Connecticut 2018

About the Medicare Savings Program Connecticut 2018

Medicare Savings Program Connecticut 2018 (MSP) is available those below certain income levels. As a result, the program does not take assets into consideration for eligibility.  There are three levels of the program you may qualify for if your income is below the guidelines.

• QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary):  Pays for your Medicare Part B premiums, as well as Medicare deductibles and/or coinsurance.  Most people do not pay a premium for Medicare Part A, although the QMB program will pay part A premium for those with a Medicare Part A premium.
  • the income limits for 2018 either single $2,135.32 a month or couple $2,894.92 a month.
• SLMB (Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary): Will pay for your Medicare Part B premium
  • the income limits for 2018 either single $2,337.72 a month or for a couple $3,169.32 a month.
• ALMB (Additional Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary): Will pay for your part B premium;  You may not have any other type of Medicaid program while enrolled in the ALMB program
  • income limits for 2018 either single $2,489.52 a month or couple $3,375.12 a month

This program is subject to changes during the 2018 year. Click here for an update

Medicare Savings Program Connecticut 2018 Application

It’s easy to apply for the Connecticut Medicare Savings Programs. Simply complete an application and mail it in. The application is“Medicare Savings Programs Application/Redetermination,”.  There is no cost to apply for the program as well as no penalty for applying if you are not accepted.

Medicare Savings Program Application 

Formulario de Renovación de programas de ahorro de Medicare 

Please mail the completed application to:

DSS ConneCT Scanning Center

PO Box 1320

Manchester, CT 06045-1320

If you are having trouble printing the application; please call Crowe and Associates at 203-796-5403

Medicare Savings Program Connecticut 2018- Apply through CHOICES

All three MSP programs are administered by the Connecticut DDS . To apply, you can complete the paper application (In the link above). You may also call CHOICES at 1-800-994-9422,

Medicare Savings Program Connecticut 2018 FAQ  CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

Link to the DORS website

More basic information on MSP

DORS BENEFITS QUICK GUIDE

Medicare savings program CT 2018

There have been major changes made to the Medicare Savings Program CT 2018.  The changes have substantially lowered the income guidelines for those receiving help with their Medicare Part B premium, drug co-pay costs and Medical cost shares.  Prior to 1-1-18 anyone that was under the monthly income levels below qualified for help. There is not an asset test on the programs.

Those who no longer qualify for programs based on the new income limits will notice changes for 2018. If you no longer qualify, you will start to again pay your Medicare part B premium which is $134 a month for most people.  If you are taking Social Security payments, they will start to take it out of your payment every month. Those not taking Social Security will be billed quarterly for it.

Anyone receiving drug help with co-pays will continue to receive that help throughout 2018 even if they no longer qualify for the program. Those receiving cost share help with co-pays and Medicare deductibles and coinsurance will cease getting that help as of 1-1-18. (assuming you no longer qualify based on the new income amount)  Anyone qualifying at any of the below levels does not pay the monthly part B premium, has help on drug costs and is not subject to the drug plan coverage gap. Those that qualify at QMB level also have help with medical costs.

Medicare Savings Program CT 2018 – Update

NOTE:  UPDATE: It has recently been decided the program will be extended under the 2017 income levels through the month of February 2018

**Please note: The chart below gives income levels for 2017 and the new income levels for 2018.  Allowable income levels for all program have dropped.

Medicare Savings Program Connecticut

Crowe and Associates wants to help you sort through some of the information on the Medicare Savings Program Connecticut.

Medicare Savings Programs are designed to help Medicare recipients by paying the Part B costs for them.  Although Part A is no cost to most people, if the recipient or their spouse has not worked long enough to qualify for this benefit then,  the MSPs (Medicare Savings Program), may pay the Part A cost for you.  MSP will also pay for the monthly part B premium which everyone pays for.  Your income must be within a certain range in order to qualify for the MSP.  There are 3 types of Medicare Savings Plans available, each one is based on the recipients income level.

The income limit amounts will remain in effect through March 2018.  We have listed the three plans that are available below:

CLICK HERE FOR MSP BROCHURE

Medicare Savings Program Connecticut: First Plan:

QMB – This plan is for only people who qualify as Medicare Beneficiaries and meet the income criteria as stated below.
Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries (QMB) – There are no asset limits on this plan.
QMB income limits (211% FPL):   If you are a single person with income of $2,120.55 or less per month.
If you are a Married couple with income of $2,854.83  or less per month.

This plan pays not only premiums for Medicare Part A  and Part B but also deductibles and co-insurances as well.  It will also pay for drug plan premium up to the benchmark plan premium, provided coverage in the coverage gap and limit drug copay costs.

Medicare Savings Program Connecticut: Second Plan:

SLMB, this plan is solely for people who meet the following criteria:

SLMB or (Special Low Income Medicare Beneficiary) income limits: (231% FPL) – There are no asset limits on this paln.
If you are a single person with income of $2,321.55 of less per month.
If you are a married couple with income of $3,125.43 or less per month.

This Plan will pay only Medicare Part B premiums.  It will also pay for drug plan premium up to the benchmark plan premium, provided coverage in the coverage gap and limit drug copay costs.

Medicare Savings Program Connecticut:  Third Plan:

ALMB is also called the Q4.  This plan has limited funds, therefore it is only available until the funds are exhausted. This is not an entitlement program and applications can only be accepted while there are funds available.  ALMB, (Additional Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary)  programs also have no asset limit
ALMB income limits (246% FPL):
If you are a single person with income of $2,72.30 or less per month.
If you are a married couple with income of $3,328.38 of less per month.

This Plan will pay only Medicare Part B premiums.  It will also pay for drug plan premium up to the benchmark plan premium, provided coverage in the coverage gap and limit drug copay costs.

TO VIEW QMB vs MEDICADE COVERAGE CLICK HERE

If you would like more information about any of these programs please contact Edward Crowe at Crowe and Associates either by phone at (203)796-5403 or by email at [email protected]

FOR FAQs CLICK HERE

FOR CT MSP APPLICATION CLICK HERE

Medicare Savings Program Connecticut

Medicare Savings Program Connecticut (MSP) is a drug help program available to Connecticut residents on Medicare.   The program provides help for drug copays, deductibles and premium to those who qualify based on income.

MSP is available to individuals and couples making under stated income guidelines which have been provided here:

• QMB – $2,088.90 for a single person and $2,816.85 for a couple
• SLMB – $2,286.90 for a single person and $3,083.85 for a couple
• ALMB – $2,435.40  for a single person and $3,284.10 for a couple

MSP applications and brochures

Do you have questions or need more help?  Are you looking for more information? If you are, we can help with whatever you may need with MSP, Medicare plan choices or any other questions.  Call us at 203-796-5403 or email [email protected]

There are three basic levels of drug help available to seniors in Connecticut.  Contrary to the popular opinion, you can get drug help based on income only.  All three programs here are based on income only.  The programs do not look at your assets to determine if you qualify.

The lowest qualifying level (ALMB) will provide the following benefits to those that are approved.

-Elimination of Medicare Part B Premium

-Elimination of coverage gap “Donut Hole”

-Copays on drugs capped at $2.60 for generics and $6.30 for name brand drugs.

It is very important that you check to make sure that your drugs are in the formulary of the Medicare plan you use. (Stand alone part D plan or Medicare Advantage plan)  If your drug is not in the formulary, the program will not help with the costs.

Those that qualify for QMB will also get help with their medical copays.

• QMB – $1,983.03 for a single person and $2,685.93 for a couple
• SLMB – $2,169.23 for a single person and $2,938.13 for a couple
• ALMB – $2,308.28 for a single person and $3,127.28 for a couple

MSP application ct

Medicare beneficiaries in Connecticut have access to one of the better drug help programs in the United States.  Drug help programs are based on income and assets.  In Connecticut however, the lowest level of drug help is called ALMB and is only based on income. It does not take assets into account.

To qualify for ALMB an individual must make less than $2,308.88 a month.  This amount is raised for a couple to $3,127.28 a month.  There is no asset limit for this level of drug help in Connecticut.   For a list of the different RX programs and the income level for each Medicare Savings Program Income Levels

For those that qualify for the program, there are substantial benefits and cost savings.  Qualifying members are no longer subject to the Donut Hole and do not pay their part B Medicare premium.  They also can not pay more than $2.50 for generic drugs and $6.30 for name brand drugs.

Call our office today if you wish to discuss the program further. We can help you determine if your income is within range.   We  also have applications (only 3 pages) and can help you fill them out.   Call Ed Crowe at 860-992-4494 or email [email protected]